"LYW" 2007 Obituary

LYWOOD o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-12-08 published
LEFEBURE,
JohnVictor
Jock, our beloved patriarch, died peacefully at home on November 28,
2007 at the age of 86. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara
and his sister Jill
JANSEN of the United Kingdom. He is survived
by his children: David (Nan
EDMISON,)
Jon
(MarleneHAYES,) Todd
(Susan HARRISON) and Deborah (Rob
KURLUK;) his grandchildren:
Sarah (David
WARRINER,)
John
(GillianBISHOP,) Michael, Julia,
Sean, Claire, Will, Emma and Hayden; step grandchildren Justin
and Andrea; and his sister Judith
LYWOOD of Bath, United Kingdom.
Jock was born in the Golders Green area of London on November 18,
1921. He graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in
Civil Engineering during World War 2, and immediately joined
the Royal Air Force. In between flying Wellingtons, he was smitten
with Barbara 'Bill'
WHATLEY and married her on October 12, 1946.
Jock and Bill set out to start a new life in Canada in 1948.
He worked as an engineer with Alcan in Kingston and Montreal,
and then moved to Stelco in Hamilton, where he worked in Sales
Engineering until his retirement. Jock and Bill enjoyed retirement
years both in Ontario and then in Victoria, British Columbia
until her death in 1997. Jock then started a new chapter in his
life, turning his energies to community service. He arranged
for thousands of used tennis balls to be shipped to poor children
abroad. While dealing with loss of eyesight, he became an innovator,
champion and spokesperson for people with low vision. He lived
life fully to the end, with the help of his dear friend Barbara
Riggs and his family. We will all miss his zest for life, sense
of adventure and endless curiosity. The times spent at the cottage
on Lake of Bays, at the house on Sanibel Island and more recently
at the cottage on Salt Spring Island will stand out in memory,
as will images of Jock the master sailor and woodworker. In lieu
of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Canadian National
Institute for the Blind or a charity of your choice. A Celebration
of Jock's Life will be held for family and Friends on Saturday,
December 29 at the First Memorial Chapel at 4725 Falaise Drive,
Victoria at 2 p.m. followed by a reception at Jock's home. Condolences
may be sent to lefebure@shaw.ca.